JOHN McCLAIN, Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle |
March 20, 2011

Former Oilers receiver Haywood Jeffires would rather celebrate the life than mourn the death of his best friend and former teammate, Drew Hill.

Hill, 54, died in an Atlanta hospital late Friday night after suffering two massive strokes.

“He was the perfect kind of friend,” Jeffires said. “No matter what happened to me, good or bad, Drew was always by my side. He was my best friend, my mentor and my teacher, somebody I could lean on. If I could tell him something right now, I’d just say thank you.”

Hill was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams for two low draft choices in 1985. Two years later, Jeffires was the second of two first-round picks behind fullback Alonzo Highsmith.

“Drew came to Houston recently, and we spent a week together,” Jeffires said. “We went to a Rockets game and hung out with some of the guys. We loved to reminisce about the time we played together.”

Hill was a Georgia native who played at Georgia Tech and was selected in the 12th round of the 1979 draft by the Rams. He never caught more than 19 passes in five seasons with the Rams, but when the Oilers acquired him to become Warren Moon’s favorite target, Hill became one of the NFL’s best receivers over the next seven seasons.

“I’m shocked,” Moon said. “I can’t believe it. Drew meant so much to us as a player and as a person. He had a low-key demeanor. He didn’t get upset. He was always cool under pressure.

“He was a great receiver, one who knew the offense and was always in the right spot. I always knew exactly where Drew would be. I counted on him so much. He was the consummate professional.”

In 1985, his first season with the Oilers, Hill had 64 receptions for 1,169 yards (18.3 average per catch) and nine touchdowns.

In seven seasons with the Oilers (1985-1991), Hill had at least 1,000 yards five times.

In his other two seasons, he had 989 in the strike-shortened 1987 season and 938 in 1989, when he missed two games with injuries.

The two-time Pro Bowler finished his career with 9,831 yards and 60 touchdowns on 634 receptions.

“I spent some time with Drew in Atlanta in December,” said Highsmith, who’s a scout for Green Bay. “I’m stunned. I asked him how he was doing, and he said he was doing all right. As a player, I remember Drew being all vertical. He was a great deep threat, fast but very smooth.

“As a person, Drew was quiet and humble. He never sought attention for himself. He was a great guy and a great teammate. … He’s going to be missed by many.”